Sam Houston is ranked No. 1 in FCS

[JohnStOnge]

Probably missing a few, and TxSt did put on a good run in 2005

Well, that McNeese loss to Western Kentucky in the 2002 playoffs WAS in the national championship game and they DID beat the same Western Kentucky team 38-13 during the regular season that year. The Southland did do OK during the first half the the 2000s with McNeese making it to the title game in 2002, Sam Houston making the semis in 2004, and Texas State making the semis in 2005. But since 2005 it's been horrible.

BTW, recall that in 2004 Sam Houston beat Montana during the regular season. Which brings up another point: The Southland seems to do better nationally during the regular season. Like SFA beat UNI during the regular season last year. McNeese won at Appalachian State in 2009. McNeese blowing out eventual national champ Western Kentucky during the regular season in 2002.

The Southland did have some nationally competetive playoff teams the 1980s, 1990s, and through 2005. But 2006 through 2010 the Southland did not have any nationally competetive playoff teams. There was one win by SFA in 2008 but the Jacks got completely blown out by Montana in their second game. And otherwise it's been all blowout losses. It seems to be weakening as a league relative to the national scene. Hopefully it'll turn around but I really don't think it did this year.

[JohnStOnge]

I dunno, you know App's history


Circle of fail*

Southland > App State > CAA > Montana > Southland


*gross-generalization that as of last year is becoming less accurate

It's more than just App State. The Southland has historically been fairly successful against the Southern for some reason. Not dominant by any means. But a lot more successful than it's been against the Big Sky or the CAA.

[Silenoz]

Probably missing a few, and TxSt did put on a good run in 2005

Well, that McNeese loss to Western Kentucky in the 2002 playoffs WAS in the national championship game and they DID beat the same Western Kentucky team 38-13 during the regular season that year. The Southland did do OK during the first half the the 2000s with McNeese making it to the title game in 2002, Sam Houston making the semis in 2004, and Texas State making the semis in 2005. But since 2005 it's been horrible.

BTW, recall that in 2004 Sam Houston beat Montana during the regular season. Which brings up another point: The Southland seems to do better nationally during the regular season. Like SFA beat UNI during the regular season last year. McNeese won at Appalachian State in 2009. McNeese blowing out eventual national champ Western Kentucky during the regular season in 2002.

The Southland did have some nationally competetive playoff teams the 1980s, 1990s, and through 2005. But 2006 through 2010 the Southland did not have any nationally competetive playoff teams. There was one win by SFA in 2008 but the Jacks got completely blown out by Montana in their second game. And otherwise it's been all blowout losses. It seems to be weakening as a league relative to the national scene. Hopefully it'll turn around but I really don't think it did this year.

I'm not saying the Southland is a terrible conference. They just have this amazing trend of massive collapse/blowout losses to end their playoff runs. The 2002 game against WKU is a perfect example. Championship berth + opponent you've already beat = blowout loss?

[JohnStOnge]

I'm not saying the Southland is a terrible conference. They just have this amazing trend of massive collapse/blowout losses to end their playoff runs. The 2002 game against WKU is a perfect example. Championship berth + opponent you've already beat = blowout loss?

Oh I agree to an extent. Like I think McNeese beat a better team than New Hampshire was in 2009 when it won at Appalachian State in the regular season. But then they get into the playoffs and get blown out by New Hampshire at home. Same thing with 2007. I think that was a very good McNeese team even with the injuries they had. They'd blown out a Portland State team that beat Eastern Washington during the regular season. I guarantee you that if you'd have asked Jerry Glanville which team was better between McNeese and Eastern Washington based on having played both he'd have said McNeese and it wasn't even close.

But it didn't matter. Eastern Washington went on the road and blew McNeese out.

There does seem to be some kind of problem recently for Southland teams when playoff time comes around.

But they should win at least two in the playoffs this year based on how the draw fell. Central Arkansas should beat Tennessee Tech and Sam Houston State should beat the winner of Stony Brook/Albany. After that we'll see. I'm not optimistic though; largely based on having watched Central Arkansas play on TV vs. McNeese and watched Sam Houston State play on TV vs. Western Illinois. Central Arkansas beating McNeese was a fluke. McNeese dominated that game and had things happen like a guy fumbling on the Central Arkansas one yard line and having Central Arkansas pick it up and return it 98 yards for a TD. Central Arkansas' offense looked totally impotent. And Sam Houston did not look that much better than Western Illinois. Better but not by that much. Given what Western Illinois did...or did not do...in the MVC I'm not real optimistic about Sam Houston's chances of beating either Montana State or New Hampshire.

[BigSkyBears]

#23 and Co-Champs!!! What a great achievement since we were 3-8 at this time last year.

just wait until you get into the Big SKy. Much more difficult.

[lakesbison]

my god, that retard never SHUTS UP...NDSU should be #1 not these chumps

[Darell1976]

my god, that retard never SHUTS UP...NDSU should be #1 not these chumps

Maybe if NDSU didn't lose to an unranked team at home. But I thought polls didn't matter its what you do in the playoffs. I think SHSU will trade #1 in the polls for a National Title, but Lakes would rather take the poll.

[SeawolvesFan90]

I'm wondering if SBU/Albany winner has a chance on competing again SH? chance at winning?

I'm not familiar with SH so I'm asking for an honest opinion on those that know them better. Winner of SB/UA is set to play against them in the second round. SB is a great running team who also can pass the ball well, known widely for the dual threat of Maysonet/Jackolski which both have 1000+ rushing yards for the season... Albany has played great so far also.

any thoughs?